My fanny pack is now a shoulder bag...

     The memories return of starting this process back on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14th of this year.  I am back to tons of water, fiber supplements, stool softeners, anti-nausea medicine, and fatigue (mentally and physically).  Wednesdays become freedom days when the pack comes off.  On one hand I hope I am not putting my body through more than it needs to be and on the other hand I am doing something that the doctors admit they can't guarantee that they got it all.  In the end I am still praying for healing and leaving that ultimate in God's hand because after 4 months of this I will be actually glad that this part will be done so pray and faith will have even more space in my life.  So much time is spent with appointments and travel and schedules of medicine.


     1 John 4's hallmark is "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world."  And in verses 2 and 3 John gives the ultimate test, "By this you know the Spirit of God:  every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God.  This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already."


     A good friend asked me this week, "What if they are lying when they say they believe in Jesus?"  That is where we need to dig deeper into what they believe.  Many wrapped up in false religions and cults don't do this and don't use the Bible as the standard against what is being said.  I am so thankful for the Old Testament when it gives us an event that gives principles that help us to dig deeper.  The passage I am going to use this Sunday is 2 Chronicles 18.  Here are the principles.


     a.  beware of outward appearances and titles
     b.  nothing is free, salvation cost Jesus a lot, look for the strings attached, hidden agenda
     c.  seek solid Biblical spiritual advice, make sure the numbers are going to the Source
     d.  beware of those who tell you what you want to here
     e.  don't get caught up in the show
     f.  be looking for the consistent showing of the fruit of the Spirit in action
     g.  remember that the reward of going with the truth sometimes means persecution from the world


     God's blessing and direction on your day.


Adam
A simple man serving a great God and the local pastor of Stillwater Community Chapel (stillwater-chapel.org). We are in our 38th year of full time ministry. God directed us to this local body of believers on the Western Range of the Rockies to grow with them in mission and mindedness of Christ.

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